I know it says you're not supposed to comment on other reviewers, but I gotta say: Stoney, dude, that is the longest, most rambling review I think I've seen on the archive! :)

Anyway, the show: I find it easy to believe it was pouring down rain, 'cause the band starts a little slow, like they're cold, but once they build up some momentum, they definitely keep it going, like they're trying to stay warm. They didn't really put forward their best material (IMO), but the playing is enthusiastic, and overall, I'd rate the performance good, but not great.

The recording: great AUDs are better than average boards, no question, but the Rad's boards are never average, and this is not a great aud. The sound is distant, and a bit tinny and hollow. Sounds quality is not bad, but definitely not great.

I was torn between giving this three stars or four, but in the end, special guest John Ball saves this show from mediocrity, so I'm going with four.

Wow, I am honored to be the first to review this show. The weather on this day was less than desirable for an outdoor concert. Ryan and I bolted out of work and headed up to Vail in the driving rain- I mean it was pouring. We arrived to a full parking lot and immediatly created a spot for my van by moving a couple of cones. With the van parked and our last chance to spark (yeah right!) we made quick work of a fatty and headed into the show. The El Bujo thing was just finishing up as we walked inside. We procured beers and found my wife and child camped up on the lawn under an umbrella. The mood and atmosphere inside was really kinda different. This show was a memorial benefit for a guy in our town who passed away at a very early age leaving behind two young children and a wife. All I could think about the entire time was how cool a tribute this was for a school techer who did nothing more than live and love and go to concerts. I could only hope that a tribute so grand might be staged for me upon my departure if circumstances were similar- but that is vain to think such things- but really this was too cool!!! The Rads and John Bell, not to mention The Dirty Dozen all in honor of this guy. I did Not know Bobby Silverman but I did know his family- his sister inlaw catered my wedding and his neice came in the deli I was working at all the time. "Right" you say "so what about the show tell us about The Rads already"- Ah the Rads playing right in my backyard in one of the most beautiful alpine setting in America- what do you think- The show was hot as hell- Ed opened with a "Law of the fish" that went into a melody called Tyger, tyger. The lyrics sounded like some sort of Nawlins Voodoo trying to raise the dead- Very deep....Corinna followed along with some other great Rads standards like "River Run"- then John Bell came out with an electric guitar and the boys tore up "For what its worth" and "Stop Breakin Down" with JB on the vocals. The entire show it rained, sometimes it poured, sometimes it sprinkled, it even came down in sheets. To say the least we were wet, but it did not matter, we danced and played with my son in the mud and slid down the hill and drank expensive wine and snuck a bowl under the umbrella less than 10 feet from a security lady. It was a wonderful time- the air was thick with emotions and groovy music. We stuck around for JB's set then we had to blaze it was getting cold and more wet and late and the little guy needed to get home before he caught a cold or something. We are very fortunate to have this recording- no grumbling about the SB patch- it just didnt happen- these things make it all the more unique and genuine. Bravo to the stealthmiester on his work- Bravo to The Internet Archive making this show just a click away for me and all you.
Blah Blah Blah